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Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Linked to Cantaloupe, July 2012

On Friday, August 17, 2012 public health officials in several states and the FDA announced a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium linked to cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana. By September 13, 2012 state and federal investigators had identified 261 ill persons in 24 states infected with two Salmonella serotypes - Typhimurium and Newport. Illness onset dates ranged from July 6, 2012 to September 16, 2012. Ill persons ranged in age from less than 1 year to 100 years, with a median age of 47 years. Fifty five percent of ill persons were female. Among 163 persons with available information, 84 (51%) reported being hospitalized. Three deaths were reported in Kentucky.
The Kentucky Department of Public Health laboratory isolated the outbreak strain in cantaloupe samples. On August 22, 2012 Chamberlain Farms Produce, Inc. of Owensville, Indiana voluntarily recalled cantaloupe grown on its farm, because it was identified as one source identified as contributing to the outbreak.
FDA investigators collected samples from surface areas at Chamberlain Farms as well as samples of cantataloupe at the farm. Samples of cantaloupe collected at Chamberlain Farms show the presence of Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria with a DNA fingerprint that matched the outbreak strain.